Since its commencement last February, Chance 2017 Entrepreneurship Development Program has conducted 20 workshops and is finally preparing to evaluate its final participants’ business plans on Saturday 20th May.
Amira Mahmood, the Program’s Director, expressed her happiness that 11 participants have qualified to the final stage of the program after they have completed the previous stages successfully. She pointed out that the participants will compete to present the best plans for their business projects. Prizes will be announced in the final ceremony, which will be held under the patronage of H.E. Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed Al Zayani, on Thursday 1st June in Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa.
Ms. Mahmood explained that the second stage of the program, which commenced on 3rd April with a key speech by Sh. Hisham bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Deputy General Manager – Development Services in the Bahrain Development Bank. This stage included introductory sessions to various entities supporting the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Bahrain such as Tamkeen, and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. The participants also attended series of workshops by experienced professionals about marketing concepts, financial management, business branding, customers service, and technology in business.
Ms. Mahmood added that the third and final stage of the program included a visit to the Bahrain Business Incubation Centre and couple of lectures on basics of legal for business projects and the personal branding for entrepreneurs. The participants had the opportunity through this stage to meet with group of Bahraini entrepreneurs, where they learnt about their business journey and success stories. The final stage concluded with coaching and mentorship sessions to assist the participants in preparing and presenting their business plans, under the supervision of experienced business coaches and mentors.
The 3rd edition of Chance 2017 is brought through the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Tamkeen, Bahrain Development Bank, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Capital Knowledge, and the SME Development Society of Bahrain. The program’s media partners include Alayam Newspaper, Bahrain Startup, and Bahrain This Week, in addition to its creative partners Pixelated Photography and Mievento Creative Hub.